{"id":3016734,"date":"2023-12-14T23:32:50","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T04:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-1016567-4521551.cloudwaysapps.com\/plato-data\/virgin-makes-a-deal-with-cabin-crew-ending-holiday-strike-threat\/"},"modified":"2023-12-14T23:32:50","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T04:32:50","slug":"virgin-makes-a-deal-with-cabin-crew-ending-holiday-strike-threat","status":"publish","type":"station","link":"https:\/\/platodata.io\/plato-data\/virgin-makes-a-deal-with-cabin-crew-ending-holiday-strike-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"Virgin makes a deal with cabin crew, ending holiday strike threat"},"content":{"rendered":"
Image: Virgin Australia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Virgin Australia has reached an \u201cin-principle agreement\u201d with cabin crew, forestalling the possibility of industrial action over the holiday period.\n<\/p>\n

The deal, which includes pay increases of between 14 and 18 per cent over three years, as well as an extra six days off per year, recognition for unpaid standby time, and overtime after nine hours, comes after months of negotiations and an intervention by Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/section>\n

\u201cUnder the new Enterprise Agreement, cost of living pressures will be easier for crew to manage, and lifestyle challenges will be easier to navigate,\u201d Virgin Australia said in a statement.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe agreement will deliver 15%+ salary increases over three years, depending on the skill and tenure of the crew member.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the overall cost of this agreement is in line with the agreements we have reached with other work groups.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

<\/section>\n

TWU\u00a0National Secretary Michael Kaine said the deal will \u201csubstantially lift pay and conditions\u201d for cabin crew after they had been left \u201cbattling long hours, gruelling rosters, and juggling second jobs to get by\u201d due to pandemic emergency settings.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the start, cabin crew asked for terms and conditions that show they\u2019re respected, heard and valued. Finally, crew have achieved a deal that will keep them in their jobs,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis outcome shows the strength of workers bringing a solution-focused approach to bargaining and standing strong together to achieve it. Earlier this year,\u00a0TWU\u00a0ground crew, cabin crew and pilots provided Virgin owners Bain Capital with a plan to future-proof the airline with good, secure jobs and industry standards.\n<\/p>\n

<\/section>\n

\u201cIt took longer than it should have, but this plan is now well underway with strong improvements to ground and cabin crew jobs. Pilots must be next, with ongoing negotiations resolved as quickly and respectfully as possible.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Virgin ground crews reached an agreement<\/a> with the airline last month, including creating more full-time positions and a commitment to avoid outsourcing as well as re-establishing the carrier\u2019s job classification structure, while pilots are still in negotiations.\n<\/p>\n

The deal comes days after Sir Richard Branson, on a visit to Australia to launch Virgin cruises, said in a speech to staff that concerns about a potential strike were hurting Christmas bookings.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI just would urge both sides just quietly sit down in a room, get it sorted, think about all your other employees,\u201d he said in a video\u00a0obtained by\u00a0The Daily Telegraph<\/em><\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cManagers have to manage for the long term to keep Virgin Australia going in five years, 10 years, 20 years. Unions have to try to get the headline numbers in the short term.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIf one section of Virgin Australia goes too far, that means every other section\u2019s going to have to go too far, and very quickly the same thing that happened to Ansett could happen to Virgin Australia.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Virgin cabin crews had overwhelmingly voted in favour<\/a> of protected industrial action earlier this month if their demands were not met.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/section>\n